Bicycle-starter



(No Model) P. O. N. PEDERSON. .BIOYGLE STARTER.

No. 582,764. Patented May 18, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETTER C. N. PEDERSON, OF VEST SUPERIOR, \VISCONSIN.

BICYCLE-STARTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 582,764, dated May 18,1897.

Application filed July 6, 1896. Serial No. 598,195. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PETTER O. N. PEDER- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at West Superior, in the county of Douglas and State ofYVisconsin, have invented a new and useful Bicycle-Starter, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to bicycle-starters, and is especially designedfor use upon a racecourse for securing an even and satisfactory startingof all the competing riders.

The starting device is constructed in such manner that it is adjustablefor varying and regulating the initial impetus given to all the bicyclesand contemplates a lock which prevents the premature starting of themachine and which, in connection with similar devices on the otherstarters, may be released at any desired moment.

The invention consists in a bicycle-starter embodying certain novelfeatures and details of construction and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of theimproved starting device, showing the manner in which a bicycle is heldthereby. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the starting device. Fig. 3 isan enlarged detail perspective view of the lock for holding andreleasing the bicycle.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the main supporting standard,which may be made solid, but which is preferably formed with a centrallongitudinal slot 2, and also provided with a longitudinal series ofopenings 3, in which a pin 4 is removably inserted. This standard isprovided at its lower end with a laterally-extended base 5 forpreventing the lateral tipping of the starting-machine. a

6 designates an inclined board, the lower end of which may be beveled,as indicated at 7, to rest upon the ground or race-track. The oppositeor upper end of this board is made sufficiently wide to compriseparallel portions 9, which straddle the standard 1 and rest upon the pin4. The plank 6 may also be provided with a central extension or tongue10, entering the slot 2 of the standard 1 and restingupon the pin 4. Byadjusting the pin 4 to the several openings 3 the upper end of the board6 may be raised or lowered to any desired point for giving the necessaryimpetus to a machine placed thereon.

Slidingly mounted upon the upper end of the standard 1 is a sleeve 11.This sleeve comprises spaced forwardly-projecting ears 12, to one ofwhich is pivotally connected a locking-bar 13, the free end of said barbeing adapted to abut against the projecting end of the opposing ear. Anelbow-lever 14 is fulcrumed upon one side of the sleeve 11, one end ofsaid arm being notched or provided with a lip 15, which engages the freeend of the locking-bar, and the other arm of said lever having a cord orflexible connection 16, by means of which said lever may be vibrated fordisengaging it from the locking-bar and allowing the latter to swingopen for releasing the bicycle. The sleeve 11 may be adjusted up anddown on the standard 1, so as to bring the locking-arm in position toengage the rear wheel of a bicycle, as shown in Fig. 1.

A number of starting-machines constructed in accordance with thisinvention may be placed at the starting-point of a bicycle-race and acorresponding number of bicycles placed thereon and engaged with thelocking mechanism. At a given signal all of the bi cycles may bereleased by simultaneously pulling the several cords which connect withthe elbow-levers. In this manner an even and satisfactory start will beobtained, all of the bicycles getting an equal impetus, due to thecorresponding inclination of the inclined boards. A stay 17 isinterposed between the inclined board and the standard for bracing thestarting-machine and preventing it from collapsing.

It will be understood that the construction of the standard and theconnection of the inclined board therewith maybe varied and that otherchanges in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction mayberesorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is-- 1. Adevice for starting bicycles, comprising a standard composed of twomembers with a space between them for a bicyclewheel, an inclined boardhaving one end supported on the standard, means for adjusting the angleof the board, and means for holding the bicycle to the standard,substantially as described.

2. A starting-machine comprising a standard, an inclined board havingone end adjustably connected thereto, and a lock eonneeted to saidstandard and adapted to engage the racing-vehicle, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

A starting-machine, comprising a standard having an opening through itfor a bicycle-wheel, a series of transverse holes therethrough, aremovable pin adapted to be inserted in any one of said holes, aninclined board having one end supported on the standard by means of saidpin, and means for holding the bicycle on the inclined board,substantially as described.

4. In a starting-machine, the combination with a standard, and aninclined board having one end supported thereon, of locking mechanismadjustable up and down on said standard, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

5. I11 a starting-machine, the combination with a standard, and aninclined board having one end supported thereon, of a locking mechanismcomprising a frame slidingly mounted on said standard, a locking-armcarried by said frame, and means for holding PETTER C. N. PEDERSON.

\Vitnesses:

A. H. CAMPBELL, RICHARD REHNSTRAND.

